Hey CCT

[Rick F]

I saw in a previous thread you use overspray grade clay. Where do you buy this at? All I have in my area is the yellow clay from Mothers or the clay Black Magic (I think) sells. This grade is pretty mild in my opinion and does fine for my black truck but I don't like dropping 15 bills for clay and spray which I don't use. I use soap and water like you.

Also, do you wash first then go over again with soap and clay or just clay and soap first?

Thanks

[808Chaney]

He just sent me a link for the clay he uses yesterday. Always start with a clean vehicle before you do anything. As far as the cost, I used to use Clay Magic and here in Hawaii, it would cost me at least $30.00 if not more so $15 is a bargain if ya ask me. How long does a clay bar last you? I always just tear off a small chunk of clay to do a car and put the rest of it into a zip lock bag so it doesn't dry up. Here is the link. Not sure why it is showing up as "Item Detail" but the link works so that's good enough for me. Item Detail

[Rick F]

Thanks. I appreciate it. A clay bar usually lasts me about 2 years. I tear it in half and then use that half 4 times on my two vehicles. I clay in the spring and the fall. Winter is a terror on my truck and the wifes CRV.

I like the deal for 15 bucks but I end up with a detail spray that I don't like plus a small bottle of mothers wax which I use the there syn wax. I have 4 bottles in my garage right now of both. I wish I could just by the clay. If you use this clay let me know how it compares to clay magic.

Thanks.

[cctmobiledetail]

I detail between 350-400 cars a year on 1 piece of clay, so believe me it lasts alot longer than you think !

[silentsamurai]

Either your customers have descent paint or you use alot of clay heh

but he's correct. Most clay's have a color, and until that clay is completely black or 3/4 discolored, thats when you gotta get yourself another bar. meguiars Blue Mild clay is what I use. Just gotta do a search.

[Rick F]

Your cars must be kept pretty clean. I wash my trucks every 2 weeks except for winter months, I don't like using car washes. In the spring, the first clay job, I will turn half a yellow clay bar almost brown when I am done and that includes kneeding it along the way. I use the bar until I can feel the material in the clay then I discard the bar. I would have to wash my truck every day to be able to use a clay bar 300 times. Road salt and sand are a biatch on paint plus I have a major rail yard in town where I work.

I see that Pinnacle makes a milder clay and can be used more often. I might try that or the 3m that was suggested. I might get a good deal, my uncle is a rep. for 3m.

[cctmobiledetail]

Originally Posted by Rick F

Your cars must be kept pretty clean. I wash my trucks every 2 weeks except for winter months, I don't like using car washes. In the spring, the first clay job, I will turn half a yellow clay bar almost brown when I am done and that includes kneeding it along the way. I use the bar until I can feel the material in the clay then I discard the bar. I would have to wash my truck every day to be able to use a clay bar 300 times. Road salt and sand are a biatch on paint plus I have a major rail yard in town where I work.

I see that Pinnacle makes a milder clay and can be used more often. I might try that or the 3m that was suggested. I might get a good deal, my uncle is a rep. for 3m.

No the cars are in all different stages of dirty from brand new to terribly oxidized. Just because clay turns colors from dirt and grime, doesn't mean it's time to throw it away. I just detailed a 2007 Ferrari 612 Scagliatti , about a $300,000 car with some over 1 year old discolored clay Believe me if I didn't think it would work or hurt that cars paint I wouldn't use it.Take the clay put in an old sock, knot the sock with the clay in it and wash it in your washing machine ( don't wash it with any clothes , especially your girls !!! ) or when your washing your truck, clay at the same time your washing and although it may change colors, it will still be good for the next time. Certainly pick out any obvious chunks of grit, but discoloration is nothing to worry about! I know lots of folks think your can only get a few claying jobs out of clay and I'm sure the manufacturers want you to believe that , since if your using clay a couple of times then throwing it away, that means you'll be BUYING more clay for the next time. Using Clay Magic or Mothers clay may not last as long and certainly not as long as 3M, but with the magic and the mothers should last at least 100 times, where 3M last around 300-400 times. Also know that you living around a rail yard means you have industrial fallout, and you should be using overspray clay. beyond that using some Ppg DX220 or DX330 Acriliclean solvent will flush impurities from your paint. Alot of times when cars have alot of oil base contaminants in the paint I'll not only wash the vehicle with car soap, but I'll also add a degreaser in the bucket as well. because it'll help to rid the crap in the paint. I machine buff every car ; machine buff on, change pads and machine buff off once the polish, etc. has dried. This will take care of any streaking that may occur from claying as well as amy dullness that can happen in the clearcoat using acriliclean.

Once again as I've said in several other posts on this site, Clay is not the magic cure all that alot of folks think it is. It does work well for some things and poorly for others.

You can find acriliclean at body shop supply houses.

Good Luck and keep your clay longer !

[Rick F]

Thanks for the tips. I will be keeping the clay much longer.